Driven by the Process: The Relentless Rise of Anna Pucilowski
By: Matt Flanagan | Sportzwire | July 12, 2025 | Photo courtesy Matt Flanagan
Anna Pucilowski has built a career on discipline, resilience, and a love for the process. What started as a shift during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic has now blossomed into one of the most impressive distance running résumés in the state.
A lifelong multi-sport athlete, Anna found her true passion for running during the lockdowns, when team sports were paused and she began focusing more intentionally on track and cross country. She remembers watching older girls run the mile back in 7th grade, quietly studying them, and slowly developing a belief that she could compete at that level — and then surpass it.
Years later, Anna is now one of the most decorated runners in the region. She’s a two-time Lackawanna League Cross Country Runner of the Year (2022, 2024), a six-time All-Region selection, two-time All-State honoree, and a First Team All-Star. She claimed the District 2 Cross Country title in both 2022 and 2024 and was the runner-up in 2023. She’s also been a key piece of a dominant team, helping lead her squad to three team district championships and a second-place finish at the 2022 PIAA AAA State Championships.
On the track, her achievements are equally impressive. She’s the 2024 District Champion in the 3200, a two-time district runner-up in the 1600 (2024, 2025), and a two-time district champion in the 4x800 relay. She’s also claimed conference titles in both the 1600 and 3200, holds the indoor mile school record (5:04), and is a member of the record-setting Distance Medley Relay team.
But ask anyone who knows Anna, and they’ll tell you it’s not just her performances that stand out — it’s her commitment.
As a sophomore, Anna began training at Fame Strength in Dallas to work through some hip issues. Despite living 45 minutes away, she made the drive regularly — often showing up for the 6 a.m. group sessions before school. That level of sacrifice and discipline is rare, especially in a high school athlete. She’s also held a part-time job throughout, never letting it interfere with her training or racing goals.
Anna has embraced every part of the journey — the early mornings, the setbacks, the small gains. She’s learned to love the process, and not just chase the finish line. That mindset has helped her stay consistent and focused as she now enters the college recruitment phase — a process that can be just as stressful as it is exciting.
With several college visits lined up, Anna is staying grounded in her approach. Her biggest goal this year? Enjoy the moment, keep growing, and continue to challenge herself both on and off the track. And with the work ethic she brings every day, there’s no doubt she’ll find the right fit — and thrive at the next level.
Anna Pucilowski isn’t just one of the top distance runners in the region — she’s an example of what happens when talent meets discipline and the process is embraced every step of the way.
